CAT Board

The CAT board is comprised by:

David Smith
President
David has always been a big fan of hiking and the outdoors, He took up the hobby of trail running about six years ago and has completed 10 trail ultramarathons, usually in the middle or back of the pack. David teaches at the University of Virginia, where he is a professor and associate dean at the McIntire School of Commerce.

Christian Dahlhausen
Vice-President
Christian loves to be outdoors and has taken up trail running in 2008 when he moved from Bonn, Germany to Charlottesville. Started with shorter distances and ran a couple of road Marathon’s but quickly became hooked to trail running and ultra distances. Christian loves the communal aspects of trail running and big variety of ages and abilities in the sport. He is one of the three founders (among Andrew J. Krueger, David Smith) of the CAT’s. Christian is a Systems Engineer at Academic Preservation Trust in Charlottesville.

John Andersen
Secretary
John has competed in everything from 24 hour mountain bike races, to triathlons, to marathons and ultramarathons. His passion is trail running and just getting outdoors.“What I love about running is that the only limits we have are those we place on ourselves. It’s amazing what we can accomplish – or not accomplish – simply by our outlook. Our bodies are amazing machines capable of so much more than we realize. I truly believe that everyone has an inner athlete just waiting to come out if they let it.”

John Gullley

I have been enjoying the Charlottesville area trails for five years and am excited to help the CATs encourage the local trail running community. Founder and often leader of the popular Tuesday night run.

Simone Sengers-Van der Pluijm
I always enjoyed running on trails but never knew that was a thing until last Summer when Jason Farr, my son’s x-country coach and CAT member, told me about the crazy long trail races he did. I thought he was completely nuts, but I was also intrigued. How do you run 50 or 100 miles? But here I am, earlier this year I ran my first 50K. It’s amazing how trail running has helped me to get stronger mentally and physically. Inviting and helping others to experience the same is my drive to join the CAT board. I would love to help the Cats build an even stronger trail running community by helping people make the step from a 5k to a 50k.

Amanda Blondeau

Before joining the CATs I was primarily a road runner, partially because I was intimidated to be out in the woods during solo runs. I’ve now been bitten by the trail bug and will pick a trail anytime over the road. I can also understand how humbling it is to make that transition, as trail runners are typically tougher but they bring you to magnificent places like Blackrock Summit or Turk Mountain.

The CATs are more than a running group, they are a community. Along with being a community, the CATs offer many ways for people to get involved in trail running, whether it is through training program, summer series, or runs posted on the group pages. Trail running is much more fun with others, and there are no shortage of opportunities.

Bob Clouston
Treasurer

I’ve been running trails in Virginia since 2001, and ultras since 2004. Even though I run as many road races as trails these days, I still love trail running and the community, and like the chance to give back. When not running, I might be skiing, or checking for new wildlife photos on my trail cam at my home in Wintergreen.

If you have concerns, questions or comments you may reach us at board[at]cvilleareatrailrunners.org

Board Emeriti and influential members

Andrew Krueger
One of the three founders of the CAT’s. One of the legendary CAT SkinnyB’s. Sadly has moved now.

Eric Moore
More a road than a trail runner. Eric has been around before the CAT’s formed the CAT’s. Eric often led the “Sundays at the Park” runs, the first organized club group run.

Jen LebendigJen is THE aid station captain of the trail world.

Andy Jones-WilkinsFormer board member and Director of Programs

Sophie Speidel
Former board member and Director of Courses

15 thoughts on “CAT Board”

I am the race director for 2 Ultra Marathons in the Richmond area. Both take place at State Parks and may be of interest to your members. Is it possible to place it on your calendar? The next event is the Dogwood 12 Hour Run at Pocahontas State Park on April 9th 2016. The event features a 12 Hour loop run (run as much or as little as you want), a 10 mile option and a 4 person relay. More information can be found at the race website http://dogwood12hour.com. I can be reached at dpulskamp@hotmail.com. Thank you very much.

The Sweet Briar Business Seminar class this semester is hosting a 1 in 5 5k for RAINN, the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network. The 5k will begin in the upper quad and the trail will go along the dairy loop, a hilly road with beautiful views of the campus, going right through the riding center.
Registration Time 8am
Race Start Time 9am till 12pm or 1pm
This race is friendly for all ages and participants can choose to either run or walk. The name of the race stems from the statistic that 1 in 5 women in college will be victims of sexual assault (Time Magazine). For more information, please visit rainn.org

The Marine Corps Association & Foundation has bibs for this year’s Marine Corps Marathon. If anyone in your club is interested in running the marathon and does not have a bib, they can sign up for one at bit.ly/MCMRunners. MCA&F is fundraising in support of active duty Marines and to receive a race bib, you must meet our fundraising minimum of $400. 100% of the proceeds go to our Foundation’s programs that directly support Marines. Members of your club who already have bibs can also fundraise and run for team MCA&F. All runners fundraising for MCA&F receive an official race shirt and swag bag. Please feel free to email me at e.reinwald@mca-marines.org if you or anyone in your chapter has any questions.

Need help in getting the word out to your group and others regarding Gordonsville’s first 5K run this May 20, 2017 as part of our annual Fried Chicken Festival activities. Course will be through the Gordonsville area and has Ragged Mountain Running as a key sponsor of both gift certificates and prizes. Race will be from 10 am – 11 am with cool down afterwards in time to join the festival. Registration will be on line at the Town of Gordonsville’s website (events).

My name is Coach Szabo, I am the Director of Sport Performance for ADAPT in Charlottesville. I am emailing you today to offer myself as a volunteer at any events, and offer our coaching at any training events in the area.

ADAPT stands for Athletic Development and Performance Training. We were locally founded by Mike Curtis, a Division 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach. Our goal is to provide elite level training to youth athletes, not only to increase athletic development, but to reduce injuries and educate athletes so they can maintain a healthy lifestyle after sports. We specialize in providing safe, efficient, and effective training at an affordable price.

I am currently reaching out to organizations like this one trying to build relationships. I would love to discuss how ADAPT could potentially collaborate with the Charlottesville Area Trail Runners.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Rotary Club will be holding our Ramblin Rabbit 5K event on Saturday, May 26 at Piedmont Virginia Community College at 7:30 AM. We welcome runners and walkers alike to join us for a fun family event featuring a paved course with scenic views, music, food, and prizes. Event proceeds will benefit the Central Virginia Boys and Girls Clubs and the Blue Ridge Mountains Rotary Club. I am writing to ask if we can be added to your event calendar and to share information with your group. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide in helping us promote this event.

Hi!
I’m trying to renew my membership but keep receiving a “You do not have permission to access this page” when I log in. The site lets me log in but not do anything once I’m in. Any suggestions? What might I be doing wrong?
Thanks for your help!
Julie

Hello,
I wanted to see if there might be an interest in running in some of our trail runs around the Charlottesville area. Bishop’s Events, LLC organizes a couple events in the area. Let me know if you’d like more info on the races.
Sincerely,
Travis